In this post on the fourth Sunday of Advent Bobby Gross invites to open ourselves to this elusive thing called "joy" as we ponder the mystery of the incarnation alongside Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds who heard the angelic announcement. We started this series on Christ the King Sunday longing for leaders who reflect both the strength and the compassion of a Shepherd/King. As Advent began, we voiced our aching desires to see greater justice and shalom in our world. The next week we considered the active work of … [Read more...] about Rejoicing: The Taste of Abundance
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The Fruit of the Spirit in Academia, Part 1 (Scholar’s Compass)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. - Galatians 5:22-23 Reflection The academic world can be cut-throat, competitive, and harrowing. The constant pressure to publish, to win grants and to achieve tenure are just a few of the tensions that weigh on academics every day. What does it look like to manifest the fruit of the Spirit in such an environment? Is it even possible? It must be acknowledged … [Read more...] about The Fruit of the Spirit in Academia, Part 1 (Scholar’s Compass)
Devotions: Beatitudes (2) —Joyful Mourning
You're blessed that when truly broken, God gives you what you need the most. – Matthew 5:4 This is the second of a series of nine Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12) in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus has been laying down the ethics of an "upside down" kingdom in these short, pithy but profound declarations. Rather than focusing on how we feel or the way we operate our lives, or on our distinctive personalities or preferences, Jesus forces us to go much deeper and much broader at the same time. These are … [Read more...] about Devotions: Beatitudes (2) —Joyful Mourning
Advent: Joy Amidst Sorrow
If you have kept an Advent wreath this Advent, this week you lit the pink candle. Each candle has a different theme. The first two candles were hope and peace. Next week's candle is love. This week is joy. Joy is a somewhat odd note to strike in the midst of a somber season like Advent. And this year, bringing up joy seems like a cruel joke, especially to those who are having extreme sorrow. But see what the prophet Zephaniah says: Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all … [Read more...] about Advent: Joy Amidst Sorrow
Quote: Chesterton on Childlike Delight
Continuing our Summer Quotation Series from Hannah Eagleson. The second quotation in this series comes from G. K. Chesterton, good-humored apologist and writer: A child kicks his legs rhythmically through excess, not absence, of life. Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, "Do it again"; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to … [Read more...] about Quote: Chesterton on Childlike Delight